Ice-tongs.



No. 832,727. PATENTED OCT. 9, 1906. W. H. HAMPTON.

ICE TONGS.

APPLICATION FILED JAH.26,1906.

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WILLIAM H. HAMPTON, OF BEARD, KEN UOKY.

lCE-TONGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1906.

Application filed January 25,1906. Serial No. 297.891.

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. I'IAMPTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beard, in the county of Oldham and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ice-Tongs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to icetongs, and has for its object to provide a tool of this kind having a pick for cutting up or splitting blocks of ice.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the position of the parts when the tool is to be used as an icepick. Fig. 3 shows a modification.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 5 denotes the handle of the tool, having a grip 6 for one hand and a projecting stem 7, which serves as a grip for the other hand. At the end opposite the grip 6 is a shank which comprises a flat bar 8, made fast to and extending from the handle, said bar being slotted at its outer end, as at 9. The jaws 10 of the tongs are shaped as usual and are crossed and pivotally connected, as at 11. The pivot 11 extends through the slot 9 and works up and down therein when the jaws are opened and closed. The rear ends of the jaws are con nected by links 12 to the bar 8 above the slot 9. The lower end of the bar 8 is formed with a sharp point 13, which operates as a pick for splitting or cutting up the ice in a manner to.

be hereinafter described.

In use to take hold of a piece of ice the jaws are pressed against the ice, which causes them to open, the pivot 11 sliding upwardly in the slot 9. Then by a sudden jerk the jaws are closed upon the ice, which can then be lifted. The weight of the ice draws the jaws together and causes them to firmly grip the ice. When the jaws are closed, the,

pivot 11 slides downwardly in the slot 9. The lower end of this slot serves as a stop to limit the closing movement of the jaws, and thus prevents the points thereof from coming together. To release the ice, it is placed on the ground or other support, and the tool is pushed downwardly, which opens the jaws.

It is not necessary to place the hands on the ice, the entire work being done by the tool, so that the hands will be kept dry.

If it is desired to split or cut up a block of ice, the tool is placed in an upright position thereon, and then with a sudden downward stroke the point 13 passes beyond the jaws, as shown in Fig. 2, and is forced intothe ice to split the same. 7

The tool will be found useful in ice-factories and can also be used for taking ice from ponds and removing chains, buckets, &c., from wells and cisterns and for many other purposes wherever a grappling device is needed. The jaws open readily upon. the least pressure thereon and close immediately when the tool is lifted and firmly grip the article.

The modified form shown in Fig. 3 is especially adapted for use for ice-wagons, the grip 6 being attached directly to the shank 8 to reduce the length and weight of the tool.

I claim A tool of the kind stated, comprising a shank having at its lower end a cutter, and. carrying pivotally-connected jaws, the cutter being extensible beyond the points of the aws.

1 In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. HAMPTON.

Witnesses:

DAVID J. MoRLAN, L. F. ROYSTER. 

